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Brando Badoer has two rounds remaining to turn an already impressive Formula 3 campaign into a top-three championship finish. The Rodin Motorsport driver sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, just four points from third, and will return to racing in Monza determined to make the most of the final phase of 2026.
The season has represented a significant step forward after a difficult rookie campaign in 2025. In his second F3 season, and his first with Rodin, Badoer has collected four podiums, including his breakthrough victory in Monte Carlo. The result carried particular weight because it came on Grand Prix Sunday in Monaco, a moment he had dreamed of since childhood.
“It’s gone pretty well,” Badoer said. “It’s been a solid year so far for myself and the team. We’re all working well together, but of course we’re always looking to do better.”
That balance between satisfaction and ambition has defined his campaign. Badoer credits the work completed with Rodin before the season opener in Melbourne, as well as the team’s continued effort throughout the year, for creating a stronger foundation. Teammate Pedro Clerot’s podium results have further underlined the progress made by the package.
Badoer believes the gains have come across the board, from single-lap speed to race management. In a championship where qualifying position can shape the entire race, he stressed the importance of being competitive in both areas.
“It’s definitely important in such a competitive championship to be fast on the one lap and on the race pace because races are easier when you start at the front,” he explained.
The overall title is now 59 points away, making a championship bid all but impossible. The battle for third, however, remains firmly within reach. That gives Badoer a clear target for Monza and Madrid, while the mindset remains as aggressive as the standings demand.
He will be looking to recover the consistency that characterised the early part of his season and minimise errors across every session. As another young driver, Nikola Tsolov’s focus on performance amid his own championship campaign reflects the same uncompromising approach required at this stage of a junior single-seater season.
“We are looking to do well and maximise everything we have from now up until the last round,” Badoer said. “The goal for most of the drivers is to win the championship, so that’s the mindset we are approaching the weekends with.”
After a brief break, Badoer expects an intense conclusion. His objective is straightforward: maximise every lap, maintain Rodin’s momentum and fight until the final chequered flag at the Madring.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.